Piru, Fillmore, northeast Simi Valley evacuation orders lifted

Ventura County:

Ventura County authorities today lifted evacuation orders for Piru and Fillmore residents theatened by the Ranch fire and for residents northeast of Simi Valley briefly threatened by the Magic fire.

As of 6 a.m., the Ranch fire, which started late Saturday near Castaic, had burned 51,337 acres and was 45% contained. The acreage is down slightly from earlier reports because of more accurate mapping, Ventura County fire officials said. Calmer winds and an aggressive aerial assault on the brush fire Tuesday and overnight stopped the fire's progress, officials said. Residents of about 2,000 households in Piru and Fillmore had been ordered to leave, but many stayed put, opting to watch the hillsides for signs of advancing flames.

A second advisory went out late Monday to residents of canyon homes northeast of Simi Valley because of the Magic fire, which started near Stevenson Ranch on Monday afternoon. Firefighters kept the southern front three miles from the Ventura County line. The blaze is 93% contained, and full containment is expected by 8 p.m., Ventura County authorities said.

"The Magic fire is really closing down. We think that fire is going to be over by tonight," said Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Bill Nash. "We've managed to slow the Ranch fire significantly, with an assist from Mother Nature. Today we are in there with everything we've got: helicopters, bulldozers, hand crews and backfiring operations."

-- Catherine Saillant